Corrective shoe with angular clamped adjustment



Jan. 28, 1969 P. GIBBONS CORRECTIVE SHOE WITH ANGULAR CLAMPED ADJUSTMENT Sheet Filed April 3, 1967 INVENTOR. LYLE P. GIBBONS ATTORNEY Jan. 28, 1969 G|BBoN$ 3,424,166

CORRECTIVE SHOE WITH 'ANGULAR CLAMPED ADJUSTMENT Filed April 5, 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR. LYLE P. GIBBONS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,424,166 CORRECTIVE SHOE WITH ANGULAR CLAMPED ADJUSTMENT Lyle P. Gibbons, 4719 NE. Glisan, Portland, Oreg. 97213 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 364,656, May 4, 1964. This application Apr. 3, 1967,. Ser. No.

641,083 US. Cl. 128-583 6 Claims Int. Cl. A43b 7/24; A61f /14 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A corrective shoe having heel and toe portions connected pivotally in order that they may be adjustable with relation to each other for applying corrective side pressure to a foot. The embodiments hereof employ pivotally connectable plates secured to the heel and toe portions. The pivot connection includes locking structure, operable from the bottom, for positioning the heel and toe portions in desired adjusted positions. Also included in the invention are side plates or flaps serving to reinforce side portions of the shoe and at the same time serving to close a space between the heel and toe portions of the shoe necessitated by the adjustable feature thereof.

This application comprises a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 364,656, filed May 4, 1964, for Corrective Shoe, now abandoned.

Background of the invention This invention relates to new and useful improvements in shoe constructions and more particularly is concerned with a shoe adapted to accomplish corrective treatment of the feet.

In the treatment of childrens feet for the purpose of straightening them, it is the practice in some cases to accomplish such straightening by corrective shoes. More particularly, selected sizes and shapes of corrective shoes are purchased which apply straightening forces to the feet through pressure applied in the proper direction. Such straightening function is a gradual process, and as the correction takes place in the feet the shoes are replaced by shoes of additional correction. This of course requires the purchase of new shoes every time the correction is advanced even though the child has not worn out or outgrown the shoes. Prior art devices along the line of the present invention are difficult to operate and furthermore are not constructed so as to maintain rigidity and ruggedness of the shoe in the area of the pivot.

Summary of the invention Briefly stated the shoe of the instant invention includes a heel or counter-portion and a toe or vamp portion pivotally connected together intermediate the ends of the shoe. The two shoe portions comprise independent members capable of pivotal adjustment on novel and pivot means to accomplish an angular disposition thereof. The pivot means is arranged to provide a positive lock between the two shoe portions and further is constructed and arranged to maintain a strong and rugged construction. The pivot means can be operated from the bottom of the shoe for the purpose of pivotally adjusting the two shoe portions. Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a shoe of the type described wherein the locking means between the two shoe portions provides a good solid connection between said portions and at the same time maintains the rigidity and ruggedness of the shoe. Also the locking means are available for easy access to accomplish necessary adjustment.

3,424,166 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe embodying the principles of a first form of the present invention, a portion of the shoe being broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3, is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the tongue of the shoe of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of internal shoe structure of a modified form;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of a shoe embodying another form of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring in particular to the drawings and first to FIGURES 1-4, a first embodiment of the present corrective shoe comprises basically a rear or counter portion 10 and a front or vamp portion 12. The rear portion 10 has the usual side and rear Walls 14 to confine the rear part of the foot and has integral connection with a heel 16 as in conventional construction. The side walls however of the rear portions 10 of the shoe terminate in a straight edge 18 forwardly of the front end of the heel 16.

The front portion 12 of the shoe has the usual side and front walls 20 to confine the forward part of the foot and such shoe walls have conventional connection to an outer or main sole 22. Walls 20 terminate at the rear in a straight rearward edge 24, and the sole 22 projects rearwardly of said edge 24.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the terminal edges 18 and 24 of the rear and front shoe portions 10 and 12, respectively, are spaced from each other and the space therebetween is filled by wings or side plates 26. Each wing 26 is attached to one or the other of the shoe portions 10 or 12 but not to both since, as will be seen hereinafter, adjustable slidable movement is necessary between this plate and its disconnected shoe portion when corrective adjustment is made. These plates may be connected to its shoe portion by adhesive, and preferably are formed of substantially stiff material in order to provide support at the sides of the shoe.

A tongue member 30, shown in FIGURE 4, is secured to the front shoe portion 12 and projects rearwardly through the space between the shoe portions and into the rear shoe portion 10. This tongue has opposed side or transverse slots 32 selectively located so as preferably to be disposed in the area between the wall edges 18 and 24. These slots facilitate angular bending of the tongue without substantial buckling when the two shoe portions 10 and 12 are angularly disposed relative to each other. Shoe portions 10 and 12 are open at the upper end and have suitable lacings 34 and 36, respectively, for tightening the shoe on the foot.

The outer sole 22 at its rearward end 40 is rounded and projects into a recess 42 in the forward upper edge of the heel 16. Recess 42 has a transverse curvature corresponding to the rear edge curvature of sole 22 to form a socket in which said sole portion may rotate.

A pivotal connection between the rear and front portions of the shoe is accomplished by a pair of plates 44 and 46 which extend into overlapping relation and connected together by a pivot clamp member 48. As best seen in FIGURES l and 3, the pivot plate 44 is seated in a recess 50 cut in the upper surface of the heel 16, this recess having horizontal dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of the plate 44 and having a depth substantially the same as the thickness of plate 44 in order that the latter will be flush with the upper surface of the heel.

Similarly, plate 46 is seated in a recess 52 in the upper surface of sole 22 and is also flush with the upper surface of said sole.

Pivot plate 44 is secured integrally to the heel by means of one or more rivets 54 in the heel 16, it being preferred to countersink the bottom head of the rivet in a suitable bore 56. Plate 46 is secured integrally to the sole 22 by one or more rivets 58.

The overlapping end portions of plates 44 and 46 terminate in rounded mating teeth portions 60 and 62, respectively. Pivot member 48 extends centrally through the toothed portions. This pivot member comprises a stud screw passing freely through sole 22 and plate 46 but being threadedly engaged in a tapped bore 64, FIGURE 3, in the plate 44. Thus, by tightening the screw 48 the toothed portions 60 are adapted to be locked together in non-rotative relation, but upon suflicient loosening of said screw the tooth portions may be disengaged from each other and the plates 44 and 46 and consequently the respective shoe portions and 12 rotated relative to each other in order to assume varied angular dispositions.

The plate 46 being flush with the upper surface of sole 22 provides an even surface for supporting an auxiliary insole 66, this latter member being secured in place by the rivet 58. Disposed over the auxiliary insole 66 and extending rearwardly into the heel is an insole 70.

The insole 66 is seated directly on the to of outer sole 22 and the rear edge 68 thereof terminates adjacent the forward end of pivot plate 44. Rear edge 68 of the sole 66 is generally curved around the front end of plate 44 at its central portion but its portions outward from the center are straightened somewhat and lead out to the sides of the shoes. This construction permits angular adjustment of the shoe parts without abutment of a portion of the rear edge 68 with the plate 44. Insole 66 also is of a thickness substantially the same as plate 44 in order that an even support surface is provided for insole 70.

Insole 70 comprises two parts 70a and 7% which meet forward of the pivot 48 in a rounded joint but which have outwardly directed straight edges 72 and 74, respectively, cut selectively so as to be separated a small amount. Thus, the shoe portions are angularly adjustable, relative to each other without buckling this insole.

It will be apparent that the present shoe may be adjustably shaped to fit a childs foot for corrective purposes, and as the foot progresses in the corrective treatment the shoe can be shaped to advance the treatment. This is accomplished by loosening the screw 48, shaping the shoe as desired, and then retightening the screw. In the changing of the shape of the shoe the rounded rearward end 40 of the sole 22 rotates in the recess 42 and the side plates 26 slide relative to their unconnected shoe portion.

In the use of the present shoe the desired pressure can be applied to the foot in the treatment. The treatment available by this shoe is generally more elfective than by replacing the old shoe with a new shoe of advanced correction since fitting to the foot can be accomplished more precisely. Furthermore, the present shoe has the advantage that it is not necessary for the patient to purchase a new pair of shoes at the completion of each corrective step. It is only necessary to adjust the shoe to a new position and of course replace the shoe only when it is worn or outgrown.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention wherein the pivot connection between the shoe portions is forward of the center of the shoe. More particularly, a sole 22' is of shortened length relative to a heel 16' and the latter has a rounded forward end 76 engageable in a rounded recess 78 in sole 22. Heel portion 16' and sole portion 22 have pivot plates 44 and 46' secured thereto, respectively, by rivets as in the FIGURE 1 embodiment, and these plates are rotatably connected by a pivot member 48'. Pivot plates 44' and 46 have mating toothed portions also similar to FIGURE 1. The primary difference between the embodiments of FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 5 is the position of the pivot points 48, 48 in the shoe, such shoe construction to be used being dependent upon the type of foot deformity to be corrected.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, the shoe similarly comprises a rear or counter portion 10a, a front or vamp portion 12a, and defining side walls 14a and 20a, respectively, for the two parts. The shoe has a full length main sole 22a, and the rear portion 10a has an integral heel 16a. Also the rear and front portions terminate in straight side edges 18a and 24a, respectively, disposed in spaced relation. The space between these edges is enclosed by wings or side plates 26a secured to one only of the rear or front portions to permit relative adjustment. The structure of the embodiment of FIGURES 68 thus far described is similar to FIGURE 1, but also illustrates that the shoe may comprise a high top infants shoe as well as a low or oxford type as shown in FIG- URE 1.

The sole 22a has an arcuate full width cut 79 which permits lateral adjustment of the front portion of the shoe relative to the rear portion. Secured to the upper surface of main sole 22a is a first insole 80, and secured to the upper surface of insole 80 is a second insole 82. Insole 80 extends the full length of the shoe but is arcuately cut or severed at 84 to permit rotative adjustment of the rear portion 10a relative to the front portion 12a. An upper layer or insole 86 is secured on the insole 82 and each of insoles 86 and 82 has an arcuate transverse cut 88 to permit said rotative adjustment.

The pivotal connection between the rear and front portions of the shoe is accomplished by a pivot clamp assembly 90. This assembly comprises a pivot member including a head portion 92, best seen in FIGURE 8, having a reduced threaded shank portion 94 engageable by a nut 96. The nut 96 has internal threads 98 engaging shank 94 and also has external threads 100 for a purpose to be described. Each of the head portion 92 and nut 96 has an end flange 102 for engagement, respectively, with the lower surface of main sole 22a and the upper surface of second insole 82. Also, as best apparent in FIGURE 7, the flanges 102 have edge notches 104 for engagement by a suitable wrench in the installation of the pivot member as well as in the releasing and tightening of head portion 92 in the angular adjustment of the shoe. A washer 106 preferably is disposed between the flange 102 of the head portion 92 and the sole 22a.

A pair of plates 108 and 110 are secured to the insole 80, as by means of rivets 112, FIGURE 6, and extend toward each other along the upper surface of such insole. These plates terminate in rounded mating toothed portions 113 and 114, respectively, which are apertured to receive the nut 96. In particular, plate 110 has an aperture 116 of a size which freely receives the threaded portion 100 of the nut 96 but the apertures 118 comprises a tapped bore which threadedly engages the nut 96. By means of this construction, the nut 96 can be threadedly clamped on the insole 82 in the assembly of the shoe.

For the purpose of reinforcing the shoe at the pivot joint, a pair of reinforcing plates 120 and 122 extend in opposite directions from the pivot member under the insole 80 and are secured at their outer ends by the rivets 112. The inner ends of these reinforcing plates are apertured at 124, FIGURE 8, for rotatably receiving the nut 96.

In the operation of the present pivot clamp member, the head portion 92 can be loosened, and this in turn permits the heel and toe portions to :be angularly adjusted with relation to each other. The amount that the head portion has to be backed off must be sufficient to allow disengagement of the toothed portions 113 and 114. When the shoe has been suitably adjusted, the head portion 92 is tightened and the shoe will remain in such adjusted position until the head portion 92 is again backed off.

The assembly of FIGURES 6 through 8 comprises an extremely rugged structure in that the plates 120 and 122 reinforce the shoe in that area which otherwise is weakened; namely, in the area of the pivot joint. Another feature of the embodiment of FIGURE 6, and also of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, is that operation of the adjusting mechanism is simplified as a result of the bot tom access to the pivot clamp member. Adjustment can thus be made while the shoe is being worn.

It is to be understod that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various other changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A corrective shoe structure comprising a front shoe portion, a rear shoe portion, foot confining wall portions on each of said front and rear shoe portions, a sole on said front shoe portion, a heel on said rear shoe portion, said sole and heel being interfitted for relative lateral rotation to different angular positions, a first plate member secured to said front shoe portion, a second plate member secured to said rear shoe portion, said second plate member projecting forwardly from said rear shoe portion in overlapping relation with said first plate member, a vertical axis pivot clamp member extending through the overlapping portion of said first and second plate members, and third and fourth plate members secured to said sole and rotatably receiving said pivot clamp member, said third and fourth plate members providing longitudinal reinforcement for said shoe, said clamp member having a releasable connection with one of said first and second plate members to permit angular adjustment of said front and rear shoe portions, said clamp member having an adjustment engageable end portion projecting through the sole whereby said clamp member is operative to change the angular position of said front and rear shoe portions.

2. The corrective shoe structure of claim 1 wherein said front shoe portion has a rear terminal edge and said rear shoe portion has a front terminal edge, the terminal edges of said front and rear shoe portions being spaced from each other to permit said angular adjustment of the shoe portions, and a side plate on each side of the shoe to fill said space, said side plates being secured to one of said front and rear portions and being unsecured to the other of said front and rear portions, said side plates extending beyond the terminal edges and in parallel, slidable relation to those shoe portions to which said side plates are unsecured.

3. The corrective shoe structure of claim 1 including an insole overlying said sole, said first and second plates and said third and fourth plates all being secured at one of their ends to said insole.

4. The corrective shoe structure of claim 1 including an insole overlying said sole, a heel insole extending into the rear portion of said shoe in a plane coextensive with said insole, said insole and heel insole being interfitted for relative lateral rotation with said sole and heel, said first and third plates being secured to said insole and said second and fourth plates being secured to said heel insole.

5. The corrective shoe structure of claim 1 wherein said pivot clamp member includes a head as said end portion projecting into said sole from the bottom surface of the latter, a threaded stud on said head projecting toward the upper surface of said sole, and a nut projecting into said sole from the upper surface of the latter, said nut being threadedly engaged on said stud for clamping said first and second plate members together or releasing them for angular adjustment of said front and rear shoe portions.

6. The corrective shoe structure of claim 1 including an insole overlying said sole, said pivot clamp member including a head as said end portion projecting into said sole from the bottom surface of the latter, a threaded stud on said head projecting toward the upper surface of said sole, and a nut projecting into said sole from the upper surface of the latter, said nut being threadedly engaged on said stud for clamping said first and second plate members together or releasing them for angular adjustment of said front and rear shoe portions, said first and second plates being disposed between said sole and said insole, said nut having external threads and threadedly engaging one of said first and second plates by means of said latter threads and also having a flanged end engageable with the upper surface of said sole whereby said nut is arranged to be clamped on said insole by its threaded engagement with said one of said first and second plates.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,269,815 4/1942 Goodman l28-584 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

RONALD L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner. 

